A special prosecutor says the state may reduce or drop some criminal charges against the Jefferson County clerk. At a pre-trial hearing for Patricia Royal Johnson on Friday, Special Prosecutor Jack McQuary said it's possible that four theft of property charges could be modified or dropped.
Johnson was charged this year with 10 counts of forgery, one count of abuse of public trust and four counts of felony theft of property between $5,000 and $25,000. Legislative auditors say Johnson paid more than $60,000 in bonuses to employees without asking the Quorum Court.
McQuary said he is researching whether state laws could have allowed the bonuses. A trial currently is set for Oct. 8. A special judge will meet with lawyers next Friday to determine which charges jurors will hear.